urn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entries-3ef33fbe-ef29-49e8-b7c9-5c988e6ce98dSystem Networking Brings Speed and Intelligence to the Data Center Fabric - Tags - networks Thoughts and opinions on the growing area of System Networking. Learn how the data center network is enabling the next generation of applications.32013-06-08T21:04:39-04:00IBM Connections - Blogsurn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entry-73a8d6a8-c031-40ba-aa37-d2280dab7fd4IBM System Networking Wins Golden Bridge Award for Business InnovationVikram Mehta, VP System Networkingvikrammehta_STG@us.ibm.com2700045AWFactiveComment Entriesapplication/atom+xml;type=entryLikes2012-10-29T12:30:00-04:002012-11-12T12:15:48-05:00<div> </div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b> IBM System Networking Wins Golden Bridge Award for Business Innovation </b></p><div>&nbsp;</div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left"><br><b><span></span></b></p><p align="left">I am delighted to report that IBM received the <a href="http://www.goldenbridgeawards.com/">4th Annual Golden Bridge Award</a> for Business Innovation. The award was given for System Networking’s <a href="http://www.ibm.com/systems/networking/switches/rack/g8264/">IBM RackSwitch G8264</a> with OpenFlow. IBM is leading the<a '="" href="https://www-304.ibm.com/connections/blogs/VMstg/resource/BLOGS_UPLOADED_IMAGES/GoldenAward.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="image" src="https://www-304.ibm.com/connections/blogs/VMstg/resource/BLOGS_UPLOADED_IMAGES/GoldenAward.gif" style="display: block; margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em; float: right; position: relative; width: 201px; height: 259px;"></a> way in driving one of the foremost innovations in business technology -- <a href="http://www.ibm.com/systems/networking/solutions/sdn.html">Software Defined Networking (SDN)</a>. IBM is one of the first vendors to implement a new data center networking protocol known as OpenFlow for the enterprise. Software Defined Networking using OpenFlow has been standardized through the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) with the collaboration of global network and cloud operators, universities and research labs, and led by IBM and other industry leaders. </p><div>&nbsp;</div><div>SDN enables the separation of network intelligence from the underlying network hardware -- using interoperable software to make the system network more agile, optimized and responsive. The IBM RackSwitch G8264 with OpenFlow supports the rise of Big Data, in which applications, workloads and systems are continuously generating vast amounts of information. Today’s networks are based on hardware, and thus can be too static to support today’s torrent of information. Software Defined Networking promises innovations to turn today’s networks into programmable infrastructure with the flexibility of today’s computers. </div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div><div>With the new <a href="http://www.ibm.com/systems/networking/software/pnc/">IBM Programmable Network Controller</a> and OpenFlow-enabled RackSwitch G8264, IBM is one of a very few vendors to offer a complete SDN solution. IBM’s SDN solution is enabling greater control over data center infrastructures. This enables data center and network operators to employ a software-defined network fabric with workload-prioritized performance, optimized quality of service and pattern-based system integration.
</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div><div>Congratulations are in order to everyone on the IBM System Networking team who work so hard to deliver innovation every day for the world’s most demanding clients.</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="”left”"> For more information about the IBM RackSwitch G8264, OpenFlow, Software Defined Networking and the coming new breed of Virtual Application Networks (VANs), please see:
</p><div><ul><li><a href="/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=SA&amp;subtype=WH&amp;htmlfid=QCW03014USEN&amp;attachment=QCW03014USEN.PDF&amp;appname=STGE_QC_AA_USEN_WH">IBM System Networking for optimized workloads, big data and Cloud White Pape</a>r</li><li><a href="/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=SA&amp;subtype=WH&amp;htmlfid=QCW03010USEN&amp;attachment=QCW03010USEN.PDF&amp;appname=STGE_QC_AA_USEN_WH">OpenFlow: The next generation in networking interoperability White Paper</a></li><li><a href="http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/tips0815.html?Open">OpenFlow-enabled IBM RackSwitchG8264 Product Guide</a></li></ul><br></div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
IBM System Networking Wins Golden Bridge Award for Business Innovation &nbsp;
I am delighted to report that IBM received the 4th Annual Golden Bridge Award for Business Innovation. The award was given for System Networking’s IBM RackSwitch G8264 with...003245urn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entries-3ef33fbe-ef29-49e8-b7c9-5c988e6ce98dSystem Networking Brings Speed and Intelligence to the Data Center Fabric2013-06-08T21:04:39-04:00urn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entry-05fc11ef-7677-4457-bd1d-2e427fe2124aIBM delivers smarter virtual networks with new OpenFlow controllerVikram Mehta, VP System Networkingvikrammehta_STG@us.ibm.com2700045AWFactiveComment Entriesapplication/atom+xml;type=entryLikes2012-10-03T12:30:00-04:002012-10-03T15:14:57-04:00<div> </div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b> IBM delivers smarter virtual networks with new OpenFlow controller</b></p><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p><div>&nbsp;</div><p align="left">Industry pundits are calling software defined networking the most exciting and disruptive enterprise networking technology in decades. With the <a href="http://www.ibm.com/systems/networking/">announcement</a> of the <a href="http://www.ibm.com/systems/networking/software/pnc/" style="font-weight: bold;">new IBM System Networking Programmable Network Controller</a>, IBM now provides a complete OpenFlow solution (the new controller plus IBM switch).</p><div>&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left">Just as IBM was first to market with a 10/40GbE OpenFlow-enabled switch, IBM is now leading the market with a complete <a href="/jct03001c/systems/networking/solutions/sdn.html">SDN OpenFlow solution</a> for the agile data center. By aggressively adopting, and contributing to, this new design paradigm, IBM is again demonstrating its commitment to innovation in order to meet and exceed customers’ needs for increased IT and business efficiency, competitiveness and creativity.</p><div>&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left">As one of the few Tier 1 vendors with any kind of SDN solution, we’re very excited to bring this complete solution to companies and organizations worldwide. And, to demonstrate IBM’s commitment to IT and business innovation.</p><div>&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left">IBM’s new software defined networking (SDN) controller is an addition to our enterprise networking portfolio. It provides intelligent software using the OpenFlow standard for the <a href="/jct03001c/systems/networking/switches/rack.html">IBM RackSwitch G8264</a> and other OpenFlow-enabled switches. Using OpenFlow, our clients can create virtual networks with the scalability and flexibility required to respond to changes in cloud and mobile services environments.</p><div>&nbsp;</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left">Customers tell us that IBM’s commitment to interoperability and standards enables them to significantly reduce cost and time-to-value by increasing their networking intelligence. Now that SDN and OpenFlow are not just for research institutions anymore; financial services, software companies, cloud providers and web enterprises are increasingly adopting these new technologies to increase performance and user control.</p><div>&nbsp;</div><p align="left">Listening to what customers need, we’ve designed our new controller to dramatically simplify what is a very complex and expensive management task today. It also allows enterprise data centers to: </p><ul><li>Squeeze out costs from network administration. </li><li>Mitigate business risk with flexible controls and management of network flows based on business policy. </li><li>Deploy a “pay as you grow” scalable fabric that can be cost-effectively implemented with immediate benefits, accelerating time-to-market. </li><li>Use all resources efficiently.</li></ul><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The controller’s technical advantages include: </div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<ul><li>An OpenFlow-based network fabric with centralized control of network flows and virtual machine mobility, simplifying management. </li><li>Increase in operational efficiency by automating network changes rather than requiring an admin to make CLI changes. </li><li>Ability to transform traditional networking into an open, flexible model, dramatically increasing business agility and resource productivity while reducing costs. </li><li>A pay-as-you-grow option allowing new applications or growth to leverage the advantages of IBM’s Programmable Network Controller </li><li>Ideal solution for multi-tenant environments and those where business continuity is critical. </li><li>A resilient network for self-healing after an outage.</li></ul><div>&nbsp;</div><div>SDN and virtual networks are opening a new world of possibilities - what new or improved capabilities and services do you see SDN and OpenFlow providing?
</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div><div> </div>
<div> </div>
IBM delivers smarter virtual networks with new OpenFlow controller
&nbsp; &nbsp; Industry pundits are calling software defined networking the most exciting and disruptive enterprise networking technology in decades. With the announcement of the...004757urn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entries-3ef33fbe-ef29-49e8-b7c9-5c988e6ce98dSystem Networking Brings Speed and Intelligence to the Data Center Fabric2013-06-08T21:04:39-04:00urn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entry-8ad63304-7896-43af-ad4c-520bc40a55dbNetworks Go Flat So Data Can Go FasterVikram Mehta, VP System Networkingvikrammehta_STG@us.ibm.com2700045AWFactiveComment Entriesapplication/atom+xml;type=entryLikes2011-09-27T13:42:40-04:002011-09-27T13:52:51-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><b> Networks Go Flat So Data Can Go Faster</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br><span> </span></b></p>
<div> </div>
<p> Today’s application requirements place new demands on the data center network fabric to deliver non-stop, ultra-low latency traffic flows. This traffic is increasingly “east-west” in nature to enable server-to-server communications versus the “north-south” traffic that characterizes conventional client/server and Web-based application environments. In fact, today, as much as 80 to 85 per cent of the traffic in cloud and virtualized server infrastructures – moves from server to server.
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left"> Deployment of the network fabric to serve these “east-west” requirements ideally begins at the edge of the network, close to servers, applications, users and innovation. So, today’s evolving data center architectures start with building out the fabric at the edge, connecting multiple blade servers, racks or systems, and eventually connecting multiple data centers. This is all about allowing clients to take advantage of fabric technology without expecting them to undertake an expensive and resource intensive forklift upgrade. That’s why starting at the edge makes a lot of sense.
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="left"> For the intensive machine-to-machine communications required for server virtualization, cloud computing and high performance computing applications such as high-frequency trading,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/apilite?infotype=SA&amp;infosubt=WH&amp;doctype=M0_WPE%20and%20XQC_*&amp;pubno=*USEN&amp;lastdays=1825&amp;ctvwcode=US&amp;appname=STGE_QC_AA_USEN_WH&amp;additional=summary&amp;contents=keeponlit">latency</a> should be as close as you can possibly get to zero. There is the basic latency associated with the speed of light and the transmission medium, so as close as you can possibly get to zero defines the ideal. People in the industry have used the term the race to zero latency as a way of describing this insatiable quest for driving latency out of the system.
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="”left”"> Clients are deploying IT infrastructure on an unprecedented scale. For example, data centers that were deploying five to six thousand servers on an annualized basis are now are routinely looking at deploying an order of magnitude more server infrastructure. So the scale at which these clients are deploying server infrastructure and storage capacity is huge. And if the network fabric that is connecting these servers and storage devices does not scale along with servers and storage, then you’ve got a problem.
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="”left”"> While on one hand, clients are staring down the barrel of deploying an order of magnitude more servers and storage infrastructure than they ever have before, on the other hand they’re also concerned about ineffectiveness as it relates to utilization of their IT infrastructure. A big focus for enterprises is to increase the utilization of their IT infrastructure. The airline industry calls this yield management. The hospitality industry calls this occupancy rates. In the context of the data center, this is all about maximizing the utilization of IT infrastructure.
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="”left”"> We in <a href="http://www.ibm.com/networking">IBM System Networking</a> agree with The Register’s Timothy Prickett-Morgan who in an insightful article <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/21/flatter_networks/">“No More Tiers for Flat Networks,”</a> writes, “For companies that need network traffic to move more efficiently at higher bandwidth and with lower latencies, then a leaf-spine network that has a flatter architecture, or perhaps a fat tree network inspired by supercomputers or a Clos network inspired by telecommunications, might be just the ticket.”
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="”left”"> The definition of an ideal fabric is one that does not require clients to jump through hoops, change out servers or add unnecessary complexity. A good fabric should be one that can provide connectivity for the client’s existing infrastructure. That’s why IBM is a big proponent of standards, because we fundamentally believe that standards can bring not only the most innovative solutions to marketplace, but also deliver solutions that don’t lock clients into a particular type of technology or a specific vendor.
</p><div>&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<p align="”left”"> The data center network is going through a major transformation to support server virtualization and cloud computing, convergence of data storage, server-to-server traffic and new high-performance applications. To address these needs, the data center network fabric, the system network architecture that interconnects server devices and storage devices in a data center environment, has become a critical lynchpin of data center architecture. And the move to flat networks is enabling the fabric to help data go faster. And for today’s requirements, faster is most definitely better.
</p>
Networks Go Flat So Data Can Go Faster
Today’s application requirements place new demands on the data center network fabric to deliver non-stop, ultra-low latency traffic flows. This traffic is increasingly “east-west” in nature to enable...004223urn:lsid:ibm.com:blogs:entries-3ef33fbe-ef29-49e8-b7c9-5c988e6ce98dSystem Networking Brings Speed and Intelligence to the Data Center Fabric2013-06-08T21:04:39-04:00